Phoenix Suns head coach Mike Budenholzer’s hire was met with optimism, especially since he had already won titles as an assistant coach and as a head coach.
However, the buzz generated from his arrival fizzled when the team couldn’t find the momentum to make a run for one of the top spots in the West.
Let’s see some of their recent highlights and what they can look forward to for next season.
The Newcomer
Jalen Green is many things. A super athletic shooting guard; an offensive powerhouse who is still on the rise; a threat on the court even when the ball is not in his hands. Since making “the leap” last season, Green has established himself as one of the best players from the 2021 NBA Draft.
First look at Jalen Green on the Suns 👀
How far can this squad go in the West? pic.twitter.com/5SI3eZvsMs
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) June 22, 2025
Book It
Devin Booker is good enough to carry a team offensively. He can score 20 points in a quarter if he wants to, and he was even the assists leader on a team where he wasn’t the main point guard. Without him, this team won’t be able to ride its way back to the NBA Playoffs.
New Leader
Could new coach Jordan Ott rejuvenate the team? He was, after all, an assistant coach of the much-improved Cleveland Cavaliers just last season. That is a nice experience to have, and he might even reap the benefits of having to lead a team that is no longer playing with high expectations.
Calling Gillespie
Back in early March, the Suns were down by 19 points against the Los Angeles Clippers in the fourth quarter. That’s when Collin Gillespie’s heroics came into play. He scored 10 points in the last nine minutes, and nothing was bigger than the three-pointer he made with 36 seconds left in the game.
THE COLLIN GILLESPIE GAME 🗣️ pic.twitter.com/F6BxTdAJLl
— Phoenix Suns (@Suns) July 3, 2025
Missed Opportunity
The Suns missed the Play-In Tournament by only a few games. Yes, Kevin Durant missed the last seven games. Was that the difference? Maybe not, because the Suns were awful for most of the year. However, it is still something that fans should think about when pondering their failed season.
Related
Main Image Credit: Phoenix Suns on X
